a. and sb. Also 7 quadrigess-. [ad. late L. quadrāgēsimāl-is: see prec. and -AL. Cf. F. quadragésimal (15–16th c.).]
A. adj. 1. Of a fast (esp. that of Lent): Lasting for forty days.
1654. Hammond, Answ. Animadv. Ignat., ii. § 2. 38. The Quadrigessimal Fast was observed in the Church to commemorate both these.
1725. trans. Dupin’s Eccl. Hist. 17th C., I. v. 171. The Quadragesimal Fast was also regarded as Penance.
1844. W. H. Mill, Serm. Tempt. Christ, i. 12. That quadragesimal Fast and retirement of our Lord. Ibid. (1855), Applic. Panth. Princ. (1861), 111. The retirement and quadragesimal fast of Elijah.
2. Belonging or appropriate to the period of Lent; Lenten.
1629. Mabbe, trans. Fonseca’s Devout Contempl., title-p., Two and Fortie Sermons upon all ye Quadragesimall Gospells.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. 359. Quadragesimal Disputations were publickly performed in the Schools.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Quadragesima, Hence some monks are said to lead a quadragesimal life; or to live on quadragesimal food all the year.
1882. J. W. Legg, Hist. Liturg. Colours, III. 40. The colour of the Quadragesimal ornaments.
fig. a. 1643. W. Cartwright, Ordinary, III. v. in Hazl., Dodsley, XII. 268. But quadragesimal wits, and fancies lean As ember weeks.
3. Consisting of forty.
1662. Gunning, Lent Fast, 50. The Quadragesimal number not constituted of men, but consecrated from God.
† B. sb. a. A fast, properly one of forty days. b. A set of forty. c. A Lent sermon. d. pl. Lent offerings (see quot. 1721). Obs.
1660. Jer. Taylor, Duct. Dubit., III. IV. Rule xiii. § 17. It is no wonder … that all the set and stationary fasts of the Primitive Christians were called Quadragesimals. Ibid., § 18. A quadragesimal of hours is as proper as a quadragesimal of days.
1691. trans. Emilianne’s Frauds Romish Monks, 284. They who print their Quadragesimals and their Advent Sermons,… never print the Second part of them.
1721. Bailey, Quadragesimals, Mid-Lent contributions, Offerings made by People to their Mother Church on Mid-Lent Sunday.
